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The tunes in this section are my favorites from the body of tunes known to be
composed by Turlough O'Carolan (in Irish:Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin)(1670 - 1738). The son of an iron founder,
O'Carolan became blind from smallpox at the age of 18. Mrs. MacDermott-Roe, the
wife of his father's employer, apprenticed him to a harper and supported him
for three years of training. She then gave him money, a guide and a horse so
that he could make a living as an itinerant harper. He traveled widely in Ireland
composing songs and tunes in honor of his patrons (The term 'planxty' designates a
tune as being in honor of the person named (e.g.:
"Planxty Drew").
Because he had only three years of training, O'Carolan was never considered a master performer. He was, however, highly regarded as a composer of songs and improvised verse. When composing songs, he usually composed the tune first and fitted words to it. This was the opposite of the usual practice of the time of composing the lyric first. His tunes appeared widely in 18th-century collections. A collection of Carolan's tunes was published in his own lifetime, possibly in 1721, by John and William Neale of Dublin. The National Library of Ireland has the only copy. He was reputed to have been in love with Bridgett Cruise for whom he composed four tunes but her father would not allow her to marry an itinerant harper. He did marry Mary McGuire with whom he had six daughters and one son. His style combined traditional folk styles with classical styles of the time and drew from the traditions of Irish harp styles. At the end of his life he returned to the MacDermott-Roe estate where he was reputed to have composed his "Farewell to Music". His wake lasted four days and musicians from all over Ireland attended. He is buried in the MacDermott-Roe family crypt. |